Why Waco? : cults and the battle for religious freedom in America
In the first balanced, authoritative account of the siege, James Tabor and Eugene Gallagher explore the powerful drama in Waco and the motivations of all the players, including the government, the media, the cultbusters, the Branch Davidians, and David Koresh himself. Tabor and Gallagher unflinchingly confront the most controversial accusations concerning the group's possession of illegal firearms, unconventional sexual practices, and child abuse. Without attempting to excuse Koresh's actions, they argue that the public has never been given the complete story. Tabor and Gallagher explain what really happened in Waco: Who were the Branch Davidians and what originally brought them to Mount Carmel? What led the government to attack? What role did the media play? And what lessons must we learn to avoid repeating this American tragedy?
1 online resource (xiv, 252 pages) : illustrations
9780520919181, 9780585054742, 0520919181, 0585054746
42855061
What might have been
Moving to Mount Carmel
Unlocking the seven seals
The sinful messiah
A complex hostage/barricade rescue situation
The wacko from Waco
The cult controversy
Waco and religious freedom in America
Appendix: An unfinished manuscript by David Koresh
List of Mount Carmel Branch Davidians
